Error identification in a computer-based network

ABSTRACT

A method for identifying possible error causes in a network having a plurality of computer-based nodes is provided. The method comprises proceeding from a control node, the execution of a test module in each case running locally on all or on selected nodes that are to be tested is triggered for the purpose of identifying possible error causes on the respective node; testing of a network connection between all or selected nodes that are to be tested for the purpose of identifying possible error causes; and recording of a result including one error cause, provided such a cause can be identified.

The present patent document claims the benefit of the filing date of DE 10 2007 054 648.5 filed on Nov. 15, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present embodiments relate to data processing and medical engineering. More specifically, the present embodiments relate to identifying possible causes of errors in a network having of a plurality of computer-based nodes, such as computer-based computed tomography (CT) systems, magnetic resonance imaging scanners, post-processing devices or other laboratory equipment.

In the medical engineering field, it is essential that an error that is identified within the network can be rectified as quickly as possible. Accordingly, it is a prerequisite to pinpoint the error as quickly as possible and with as much detail as possible.

There is a multiplicity of approaches for locating errors in a distributed computer-based system.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,213 discloses a system and a method for testing specific levels (layers) of an interface (Open Systems Interconnection, OSI) in a telecommunications network. The testing is based on using a data transmission protocol simulator. An emulator is used in order to emulate a remote node in the network with regard to an application layer (of the ISO-OSI layer model). Modules of a network node that are to be tested are in this case simulated or emulated on another test network node.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,165 discloses a system, a method and a computer program product for testing network systems with regard to their performance. In a first act an expected applications traffic load on the network is determined. Using that as a basis, a test scenario is run which is based on the expected network loads. The test scenario takes into account current operating system conditions and different network protocols such as TCP/IP or APPC.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,213 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,165 relate to the testing of the network and do not perform a more detailed testing of the network nodes involved. In addition, a manual interaction takes place at both endpoints of a network connection. A network administrator must log in both at the source node of the network connection that is to be tested and at the destination node of said connection in order to trigger or initiate the execution of specific network tests.

As soon as a communication problem has been identified within a network, the test programs focus on the network problems and check in particular the proper operation of the network connections (using ICMP PING or other specific protocols, for example). The checking of the functionality of the nodes involved receives too little attention.

SUMMARY AND DESCRIPTION

The present embodiments may obviate one or more of the problems or drawbacks inherent in the related art. For example, in one embodiment, error sources of the network nodes are taken into account and output, which entails a significantly smaller administration overhead. Accordingly, a more comprehensive test result, which also takes into account the network nodes, is possible in a simpler way.

In one embodiment a method for identifying possible error causes in a network having a plurality of computer-based nodes is provided. The method comprises proceeding from a control node, the execution of a test module in each case running locally on all or on selected nodes that are to be tested is triggered for the purpose of identifying possible error causes on the respective node; testing of a network connection between all or selected nodes that are to be tested for the purpose of identifying possible error causes; and recording of a result including one error cause, provided such a cause can be identified.

The achievement of the inventive object is described below with reference to the method. Advantages, features or alternative embodiments mentioned herein can also be applied correspondingly to the other achievements of the object (i.e. to the other categories of the claims such as a device or product) and vice versa. The corresponding functional features are achieved by corresponding objective features which are embodied in hardware.

In one embodiment, a method for identifying possible error sources or error causes in a network having a plurality of computer-based nodes is provided. The method includes the execution of a test module in each case running locally on all or on selected nodes that are to be tested for the purpose of identifying a possible error cause on the nodes to be tested is triggered on a computer-based control node; testing of a network connection between all or selected nodes of the network, in particular testing of a network connection between the node that is to be tested and the control node; and recording of a test result including at least one error cause, provided such a cause can be identified.

The “identifying” of possible error sources includes the localizing of the same in the network so that a computer-based node or a pointer unequivocally identifying the latter is always output as the result of the method.

The terms “error cause” or “error source”, which are used synonymously in this context, include all categories of errors that can occur on all layers of the International Organization for Standardization-Open Systems Interconnection (ISO-OSI) layer model. The errors may include network problems and also such problems that are linked to the software or hardware of the respective node, such as, for example, a CPU overload, overflow in the memory area, or incorrect interfaces. Problems and/or possible error causes relating thereto are typically detected or identified by a NOMINAL/ACTUAL value comparison. Threshold values for the comparison, such as the NOMINAL value, can be configured therein. For example, a storage problem can be detected if the free storage space on the system disk is below a value of 5% of the total volume.

The nodes are processor- or computer-based nodes (possibly of heterogeneous type) in a network. The nodes can be computers for post-processing image data, scanners, medical installations or other digital equipment. The nodes include a control node, which is characterized in that it is the point from which the test method is controlled. The test result is also displayed and/or stored on the control node. In an alternative embodiment it is possible for the test method to be triggered from a first control computer, while the analysis is performed by a second control computer, so that the test result is displayed and presented on the second control computer, which is different from the first control computer. However, the first and second control computers may be identical.

The nodes within the network used as the control node can differ from test to test. The control node is dynamically variable and can be chosen or determined according to the administrator's circumstances or on the basis of other administrative requirements.

A test module may be executed locally on all the nodes that are to be tested. The test module is triggered by one and the same control node. In alternative embodiments, rather than using one and the same test module, node-specific test modules are used which are geared to the particular requirements of the respective node and so can run a specific test. No specific requirements are imposed with regard to the selection of the respective test module, apart from the requirement that all the test modules must be accessible via a defined web interface. Conventional test modules may be used, to which the interface is retrofitted.

The testing of the network connection is usually carried out between two nodes, between a source node, which sends a test message, and a destination node, which receives the test message. Testing includes a bandwidth test and further network-specific variables. The network connection is usually tested in both directions, for example, proceeding from the source node in the direction of the destination node and vice versa, such as both in a download direction and in an upload direction. Only one direction may be tested if necessary.

The test result includes one or more possible error causes, provided error causes are identified. of the test result may be a list, with entries relating to the tested nodes and a pointer to whether or not the test carried out has identified an error source.

In one embodiment, the test modules are executed in parallel in each case on the nodes to be tested. This produces a time saving and leads to the result of the error identification or troubleshooting method being available more quickly.

The nodes that are to be tested may be tested in a first phase and the respective network connections may be tested in a second phase. The time periods may be dimensioned such that the first phase and the second phase have no area of overlap. The testing of the nodes does not take place in the time period in which the network connections are tested. The result of the execution of the test modules cannot be distorted due to the fact that the network connections are subject to differences in load because of the test. The testing of the nodes can be carried out independently of the testing of the network connections. The testing on the individual nodes can also take place independently of one another in each case or asynchronously with respect to one another in each case.

A different order of method-related acts (e.g. test first node, test network connection(s) relating to the first node, test second node and then test the network connection(s) relating to the second node) is possible. Moreover, the aforementioned method-related acts can also be carried out in an interleaved or intermeshed manner (e.g., with an area of time overlap).

The result may include a list of possible error sources, with each error source being assigned an entry. The test result can subsequently be subjected to a further analysis. In this case the different entries are weighted according to predefinable empirical values. In the case of client/server networks, for example, if both a client and the network are cited as possible error sources of the problem, in most instances the problem lies with the client. If a server and the network have been identified as possible potential error sources, in all probability the server will be the cause of the error. The following empirical rule apply: If both the server and the client have been identified as a potential error source, then the client is most probably the error cause. The empirical values are stored in the form of predefinable rules. These rules are taken into account in the weighting of the test result such that the most likely error cause in each case is first in the list and heads other possible error sources, in descending order of probability.

In order to pinpoint possible error sources, an administrator simply has to log in at a node in order to find an error in the network. It is no longer necessary for the administrator to log in separately each time at each of the nodes that are to be tested. For that purpose a separate interface is implemented between the test module at a first node and the test module at a second node. The interface can be embodied, for example, by way of a web service. The test of the respective test method can be implemented in a software or hardware module on the node, with the network nodes or, as the case may be, their test modules communicating directly with one another.

The respective test module that is implemented locally in each case on the nodes that are to be tested includes hardware and/or software modules.

In one embodiment, the nodes (including the control node) and/or the test modules of the respective node interact via a separate interface, such as a web service.

In one embodiment, a system for identifying possible error causes in a network having a plurality of computer-based nodes comprises a control node which is embodied for the purpose of triggering the execution of a test module, the respective test module being implemented and running locally on at least one of the nodes that are to be tested and serving to identify possible error causes on the node; a connection tester which is designed to test a network connection between all or selected nodes for the purpose of identifying possible error causes in the network; and a result module which is designed to record and present (e.g. display) a test result. The test result includes at least one error cause if such a cause can be identified.

The nodes and the control node are interconnected in a network. The test modules implemented on the respective node can interact with one another via a separate interface (e.g. via a web service). The respective test modules test the respective nodes in order to identify possible error causes on the node. The network tester (connection tester) tests the respective network connection and provides possible error causes that can occur in relation to the network connection. In order to test the network, a point-to-point connection is set up sequentially or in parallel between the control node and the nodes that are to be tested.

The result module serves for deriving a result which indicates possible error sources on the node and possible error sources in the network in combination.

In one embodiment, a test module is used in a system having the features that have been described above.

The above-described embodiments of the method can also be embodied as a computer program product, wherein the computer is prompted to perform the above-described method and the program code is executed by a processor.

In one embodiment, a storage medium that can be read by a computer is provided. The storage medium stores the above-described computer-implemented method.

Individual components of the above-described method may be implemented in one commercially marketable entity and the remaining components in another commercially marketable entity, such as a distributed system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a system with two exemplary nodes of a network,

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for identifying possible error causes in a network, and

FIG. 3 shows a variant to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows two nodes K₁ and K₂ of a medical network NW that are to be tested. The network NW may include a plurality of nodes K. As used herein, “K” is the superset of all nodes, while the subscripts are directed to the individual nodes. An error source in the network NW may be pinpointed or identified and localized. A test is triggered at the node K₁, as indicated in FIG. 1 by the inward-pointing arrow on the right-hand side in the node K₁. The execution of a local test module TM on the node K₁ is triggered at the time indicated by “1” in a circle in FIG. 1. The test module TM checks the hardware and software modules of the node K₁. The arrow 2, which points from node K₁ to node K₂, denotes a testing of a network connection, the network connection originating from the node K₁ and being directed to the node K₂. The arrow 3, which points from the node K₁ to the node K₂, indicates a request for a server test on node K₂. The circle 4 in the node K₂ indicates that the test module TM is executed on the node K₂ at this time. The test module is executed locally on the node K₂ and checks the hardware and software of the node K₂. A network test can then take place at the time 5 (or the arrow 5 originating from K₂ and pointing to K₁). The network test is carried out for the direction of the data transmission: K₂->K₁. Next, at the time 6 (with the arrow 6), the results of the test module TM that has been executed on the node K₂ can be transferred to the node K₁. A result E of the tests is evaluated at the time 7.

The numerals contained in the circles do not represent reference signs, but indicate different times or time phases at which specific method-related acts are executed. The usual sequence is: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. However, alternative time sequences and/or time overlaps are also conceivable.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the node K₁ serves as the control node S from which a test is triggered or initiated and on which in addition the result E is recorded, evaluated and/or displayed. The control node S is therefore active and controls the execution of the respective test modules TM, which are to be executed locally on the further nodes K that are to be tested, while the further nodes K remain passive. The administrator only has to log in on the node K₁, which serves as the control node S, and does not have to obtain any further access to the node K₂. The test modules TM each implemented locally on the node K communicate with one another via a web service.

FIG. 2 again schematically illustrates a possible flow sequence according to one embodiment of a method. In a first act, the administrator logs into a node K as the control computer S. In a second act, a test module TM is executed on the control computer S. A network connection is then tested for the direction K₁->K₂. A server test on the node K₂ is requested, the test is then carried out and the hardware and/or software modules on the node K₂ are checked. The network connection is checked in the other direction: K₂->K₁ and the results of the test module TM, which has been executed on the node K₂, can be transferred to the node K₁ or the control node S. A result E can then be recorded, evaluated and displayed on the control node S.

An alternative flow sequence to that described in connection with the one in FIG. 2 (and described indirectly in FIG. 1) is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, all nodes are tested in a first node test phase and all relevant network connections (preferably those relating to the nodes to be tested) are tested in a second network connection test phase. The time sequence represented by the numerals in the circles in FIG. 1 would then be adapted accordingly. Other time sequences may be used.

It is also possible to make a preselection of nodes K that are to be tested so that the test module TM is executed only on relevant nodes K, for example, on such nodes that potentially are linked with an identified error. If, for example, there are nodes K, which definitely cannot be the cause of the identified error, these nodes K do not necessarily have to be tested.

The expression “Execute a test module TM” used in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a time period between the starting of the respective test module and the derivation and/or recording or the presence of results relating to the test. As long as no results E are yet available, there is also a wait for the test module execution. The waiting time can be used by the initiation of parallel tests (of other nodes K and/or other network connections).

The network protocol may be the TCP/IP protocol. However, the network protocol is not fixed to a specific type.

The network can be a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN).

The administrator must only log into the control node S for troubleshooting purposes and not into the nodes (e.g., K₂) that are to be tested.

In addition to a network-based search for possible error sources, a node-based search for possible error sources is also carried out on the nodes K. The node-based search for error sources includes a testing of all or selected software or hardware modules of the respective node. In this case predefinable hardware or software parameters are checked, such as, for example, utilization of CPU capacity, or memory usage. As soon as the checked parameters lie outside a permitted range, the respective node is flagged as a possible error cause. The connection tester provides a bidirectional testing of the respective communication connection between a first node K₁ and a second node K₂. A bandwidth test, a latency test, a throughput test, and a PING test may be performed here. As soon as predefinable network parameters lie outside a permitted range, the network is flagged as a possible error cause. All possible error causes are collated in the result E.

The control computer S may receive and evaluate all the test results (of the respective test modules TM) of all the nodes K that are to be tested. Following the evaluation, usually at least one possible error source is derived and displayed. If such an error source is not unequivocally identifiable (for example because a plurality of objects have been flagged as possible error sources), a list including a plurality of potential error sources is output as the result E.

In one embodiment, the result E can be analyzed even further by a weighting of the respective entries being carried out. The weighting of the respective entries being carried out may be based on predefinable empirical values. In one embodiment, first the possible error sources that occurred in connection with a first node K or with the control node S are listed, followed by possible error sources that occurred in connection with a second node K₂, and further followed by possible error sources that were recorded in connection with the network NW.

If the network is a client/server network, then the aforementioned empirical values can be formulated in the form of the following rules: “Possible error sources detected in the client and in the network”->most likely error cause: “Client”, “Possible error sources detected in server and network”->most likely error cause: “Server”, and “Possible error sources detected in server and client”->most likely error source: “Client”.

The rules can be modified dynamically at any time and so adapted to the conditions currently being experienced.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first node K₁ serves as the control node S from which the testing is initiated with the aid of the test modules TM. It is, however, possible at any time to choose a different node as the control node S.

The description and the exemplary embodiments are categorically not to be understood as limiting with regard to a specific physical realization of the invention. For a person skilled in the relevant art it is obvious in particular that the invention can be implemented either in part or in its entirety in software and/or hardware and/or in a form distributed over a plurality of physical products—in this case in particular also including computer program products. 

1. A method for identifying possible error causes in a network having a plurality of computer-based nodes, the method comprising: using a control node to execute a test module that is running locally on one or more of the computer-based nodes that are to be tested, the execution of the test module being used to identify possible error causes on the one or more computer-based nodes; testing of a network connection between the one or more computer-based nodes that are to be tested to identify possible error causes; and recording of a result, which includes an error cause, when an error cause is identified.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein testing of a network connection includes testing between two computer-based nodes in a download and an upload direction.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising executing the test modules on the computer-based nodes that are to be tested in parallel.
 4. The method as claimed claim 1, further comprising executing the test modules in a time period that is not the time period in which the network connection between the nodes involved is tested.
 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the result includes entries relating to each execution of a test module, the entries in the result being analyzed and weighted on the basis of predefinable rules.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein execution of the test module includes triggering the execution of all the test modules on the respective nodes exclusively proceeding from the control node, so that only an access to the control node is necessary in order to execute the test on the one or more computer-based nodes.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the test module includes hardware modules and/or software modules of a node that is to be tested.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control node and/or the test module of the control node interact via a web service interface.
 9. A system for identifying possible error causes in a network having a plurality of computer-based nodes, the system comprising: a control node that triggers the execution of a test module, the test module being implemented and running locally on a computer-based node to be tested and serving to identify possible error causes on the computer-based node to be tested; a connection tester that tests a network connection between all or selected nodes to identify error causes in the network, and a result module that records and displays a result, the result including at least one error cause, provided such a cause can be identified.
 10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the test module (TM) is implemented locally on the node (K) that is to be tested and its execution is triggered by the control node.
 11. A memory storage device, the memory storage device including a computer program product having program code that may be executed by a computer for: executing a test module that is running locally on one or more of the computer-based nodes that are to be tested, the execution of the test module being used to identify possible error causes on the one or more computer-based nodes; testing of a network connection between the one or more computer-based nodes that are to be tested to identify possible error causes; and recording of a result, which includes an error cause, when an error cause is identified.
 12. The memory of the computer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the memory is stored in a control node. 